President Bola Tinubu has authorized the appointments of 555 individuals to serve as pro-chancellors/chairmen and members of the governing boards for 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This significant move aims to bolster the governance and oversight of these educational institutions.

The appointments were based on a list compiled by the Ministry of Education, with Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the ministry’s permanent secretary, confirming the selections. Walson-Jack announced that an inauguration and retreat for the new governing councils will be held on Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, located at 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will start at 9:00 AM daily.

The detailed list of appointees includes a chairperson and four members for each of the 111 tertiary institutions. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive governance framework aimed at enhancing the quality of education and administrative efficiency across these federal institutions.

Bayo Onanuga, the President’s special adviser on information and strategy, briefed journalists about the origin of the appointments, noting that the list was meticulously prepared by the Ministry of Education. “These appointments reflect the President’s commitment to improving the governance of our higher education institutions and ensuring they operate at the highest standards,” Onanuga said.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) have voiced strong opposition to the growing trend of converting public colleges of education into universities. This stance was articulated by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, and COEASU President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, during a three-day national conference and workshop on Digital Pedagogy and Fundable Research Proposal Writing organized by COEASU in Abuja.

Echono expressed his dismay at the trend, questioning the rationale behind such conversions when existing colleges of education are not meeting the country’s need for primary school teachers. He emphasized the vital role that colleges of education play in producing qualified teachers for the basic education level, which is crucial for the nation’s educational foundation.

“This penchant to convert colleges of education to universities is unnecessary,” Echono stated. “Universities already have faculties of education, and many conventional universities offer these programs. Our focus should be on producing enough teachers for the basic level first. We need specialization and improvements in existing colleges rather than converting all of them to universities.”

Echono urged both federal and state governments to prioritize education at the basic level. He highlighted examples from Germany and Japan, where teachers at the basic education level are better compensated than their counterparts in higher education, underscoring the importance of strengthening primary education.

Dr. Smart Olugbeko echoed these sentiments, warning of the negative consequences if the trend continues. He argued that the move reflects a misplaced priority on the part of the government and urged officials to take cues from countries like China, where universities are being converted into technical institutions to better serve national development goals.

Olugbeko specifically condemned the developments in Lagos State, where all state-owned polytechnics and colleges of education have been converted to universities. “This will have dire consequences on the state’s educational system. Countries advancing in technology are converting their universities to polytechnics, as seen in China. Yet, in Nigeria, we see our legislators sponsoring bills to convert colleges of education to universities simply because they have existing structures. This approach will severely impact our educational framework,” he warned.

Both leaders called for a reevaluation of educational policies to ensure that colleges of education are preserved and strengthened to continue their essential role in teacher training. They argued that a balanced approach to educational development, one that includes robust support for colleges of education, is necessary to meet the country’s educational needs and ensure long-term progress.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced it will distribute 50 laptops monthly to participants of its 3 Million Technical Training (3MTT) program. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, disclosed this during the announcement of the commencement of learning for the 270,000 fellows selected for the program’s second cohort.

These laptops will be awarded during the program’s monthly knowledge showcases, where fellows present their learning progress and applications. Additionally, the program will provide five MTN routers each month to support the fellows’ connectivity needs.

Although the second cohort began in March, the learning sessions officially started in mid-May. Dr. Tijani expressed gratitude to the fellows for their patience and highlighted the various opportunities and benefits that await them in the program.

The program aims to facilitate job placements for its participants. Many fellows from the first cohort have secured internships nationwide, and all are set to participate in state-level hackathons to apply their skills practically. These hackathons are designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.

Program Overview

The 3MTT program is a vital part of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda, focused on developing a robust technical talent pool to bolster the country’s digital economy and position Nigeria as a leading talent exporter. The first cohort included 30,000 participants, while the second cohort has expanded to 270,000, totaling 10% of the program’s 3 million target.

Training Focus

Participants in the 3MTT program are trained in various skills that enhance their roles using technology. These skills include:

• Digital Marketing
• Project Management Software
• Cloud Platforms Navigation
• Data Analysis and Visualization
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Management
• Accounting Software
• Graphics Design
• UX/UI Design

Collaborative Framework

The implementation of the 3MTT program involves a collaborative framework developed with input from government agencies, training providers, educational institutions, development agencies, and the private sector. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive and effective training approach.

The 3MTT initiative is set to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s digital transformation, equipping its workforce with essential technical skills and driving the nation towards a more prosperous digital future.